Wireless Network Help

[The Sly Syl]

We finally got the "DW6000" modem from Direcway, which, compared to anything else i've ever heard of, is the absolute lousiest "high speed" provider on the damn planet.

Anyway, living way up here in the mountains, we're kind of stuck with it.

We Also got a WiFi Router, Because of the layout of the house, among other things, I'll be required to use the WiFi connection for my computer.

The WiFi router i got was this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833129014] SMC Wifi A/B/G something. [/url]

The PCI-Card WiFi card I have is some rather cheap Zonet WiFi card. The antennae is, well, pretty pathetic looking. Would getting a new one help? (My computer is underneath a desk, in a loft)

On the "wireless" page of the configuration utility, it offers some choices -
Mixed 11g/b
Long Range mixed 11g/b
11g
11b

I'm pretty sure that i'm going to be stuck using "Long Range Mixed 11b/g" any reason to change?

Also, theres 11 channels here, 6 is the default - will changing them do anything to my signal strength? Whats best?

Does the physical location of the router matter any? Like, if i moved it up about 2 feet or anything like that? The WiFi router is stuck in my dad's office (also a loft), my computer and the router are rather level, except that the router is ontop of a desk and my computer is underneath one.

I have all security (WEP/WPA) disabled currently, considering that we live alone up here in the mountains, i don't see the reason for it, and i heard it increased range to have it disabled. (Honestly, we're about a mile from the nearest road)

Lastly, Someone mentioned some sort of program that might help with maintaining the connection, does something like that really exist? (Something allows it to search better for the WiFi network and maintain it)

The "signal strength" to my computer - about 60 or 75 feet away (hard to tell with walls) is "zero bars" currently, and considering the range of the router, i don't think thats right. The internet starts off going at a steady 36mbps then it slowly goes down and stays between 5 and 11, it even goes down to 1mbps at times, which is far from adequate.

I hope that I covered everything, any ideas?

(The house uses high strength cordless 2.4ghz phones as well, so, that might be some of the interferance)

 

[Devistater]

directly above or below are the worst places for a wireless transmitter. You said your computer was in a loft.

As for most of the other questions, like channels, sometimes some are better. You just gotta try it. Another similar thread to yours had a lot of good suggestions, like using some program that could tell you strength and moving around to see where it got better. So yeah sometimes moving the router or computer w/card a few feet can help.

Try adjusting the antennas too.

What kinda card do you have? 802.11b or 80211g? (b or g)
Cause if you have only b type cards, then change to b only, if you have only g type, then change to g type only.

A lot of this is trial and error. Playing around until it gets better.

 

[The Sly Syl]

its 802.11b/g card,

I think that a simple new antennae with a cord would help, i could put a higher power antannae higher up.

Is there any good reccomendations for the antennae on both ends? (Do i need to get 2 for the router?) Something preferebly cheapish.